What can you make of this...

[DMAN302]

I changed the oil just proir to putting my 88 away for the winder, this oil change was done at the 500mile mark on my fresh motor. The FMS chrome dip stick was damn near impossible to read before or after, because the oil was just crystal clear both with the 500mile oil and the fresh oil I had just put in. Now my 04Gt just hit the 1000km mark, and funny but the original oil was far darker in color..curious as to why oil in the two engines would appear different in color with both having so few miles on them? should note the 88 uses 10-30 catrol, the 04 uses 5-20(or 5-30) castrol...both dino oils for break-in.

 

[04sleeper]

Possibly different type oils? Or different assembly lube was used causing these changes? Different engine components being of different types of metals?

Just a few ideas.....

 

[Michael Yount]

Unless there are other symptoms present, I wouldn't give it much thought. Oil color isn't indicative of whether or not it's capable of displaying the proper lubricating qualities. Most oil contamination comes from condensation and blow by. Using the cars with different frequencies and with different driving patterns could easily account for the differences. I've also found that over time, the dipstick seems to darken a bit. If you compared color only on the dipstick, and not on a paper towel for example - the issue could be that one car's dipstick is closer to 1000mile oil color than the other's is - making one appear to have clearer oil than the other. The oil in my wife's Bimmer always looks darker on the stick than the oil in the Volvo - but on the paper towel, if the mileage is similar, the color's similar. Just thinking outloud.

 

[DMAN302]

color on paper towel was different, but not attention grabbing, thanks for the info, I was just curious.
Thanks again,
Derek.

 

[Darkhorse845]

Great info!

 

[HISSIN50]

im thinking aloud too. Michael and Sleeper have some nice ideas . i need to go polish my dipsticks because of what Michael said (i noticed it but never really cared).

im with the break-in idea, since your car is so new. IIRC, Jerry said his was black early on too (he has an '03 or '04 as well. he is goin through the break in period too). that is good - it means the crud is suspended in the oil.

i would not sweat it. good luck.

 

[DMAN302]

As always, you guys provide me the answers I seek. Thanks (in order of appearance)sleeper, Mr Mike, and the always helpfull.. JT.
Derek.

 

[green]

cool ,good info. now i know what causes my oil to get so black pretty quick after doing an oil change

 

[Michael Yount]

Wait - take that 04 back in and tell them the oil is defective and you need a new car under warranty - you'll settle for a new '05.

 

[DMAN302]